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Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.

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Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 255.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchenette
  • Air-conditioning
  • Balcony
  • Massages in spa
  • Internet access

Explore the area

View map
El Castillo, Alajuela
  • Place, Lake Arenal
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Butterfly Conservatory
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Costa Rica Sky Adventures
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchenette
Balcony
Garden

About this property

Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.

Nestled on a hilltop, with spectacular views of Lake Arenal and the Arenal Volcano, the Papaya Bungalows offers a unique and unforgettable holiday in one of Costa Rica’s premier travel destinations.
- This beautiful bungalows are ideal for newly weds or couples looking for a romantic getaway. Adults only.
- Its equipped with 1 queen size bed, A/C, Wi-Fi, and a kitchenette with a small fridge, microwave and coffee maker.

- THINGS TO DO: There are lots of tours to keep you entertained for days, Volcano hikes, Zip Lines, Hanging Bridges, ATV tours, Kayak and Paddle-board tours, Rainforest and Waterfall hikes, Horseback riding, Hot Springs, Wildlife watching tours and more. All of these are less than half an hour away from the house. Our concierge is always available at our new and modern Welcome Center to help you book tours, find the best restaurants, book a massage and get the most out of your time in the area.

-LOCATION: El Castillo is approx. 3 hours (150km) from both international airports, either in the capital of San Jose, or on the northern pacific coast in Liberia. La Fortuna, which is a small city that offers amenities such as grocery, banking, post office, restaurants, hot springs, excursions and much more. is only 30 minutes away.

- GETTING AROUND: You will want your own Rental Car, a 4WD will be better considering the short but steep hill going up to the bungalow. While there are a few things to see and a couple of restaurants within walking distance of the house, there are many activities that require a 10 to 45 minute drive. You will not be happy waiting for a cab to arrive either coming or going.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Peñas Blancas

Located in Peñas Blancas, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. Los Lagos Hot Springs and Baldi Hot Springs are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano. Butterfly Conservatory and Wellness Park Costa Rica are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with ecotours and horse riding nearby.
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Map
El Castillo, Alajuela

What's nearby

  • Lake Arenal - 4 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Butterfly Conservatory - 4 min drive - 1.4 km
  • Costa Rica Sky Adventures - 20 min drive - 6.3 km
  • Arenal Volcano National Park - 42 min drive - 14.3 km
  • Tabacon Hot Springs - 44 min drive - 15.0 km

Getting around

  • La Fortuna (FON-Arenal) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shangri-La Gardens - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Soda La Palma - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪La Mesa de Mamá - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Ave Restaurant - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Caña Brava - ‬21 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.?

As of 2 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views. on 22 October 2026 start from NZ$178, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Papaya Bungalow #1. Hilltop Bungalow with Spectacular Lake & Volcano Views. located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Lake Arenal and Butterfly Conservatory. Arenal Volcano and Costa Rica Sky Adventures are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 11 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

6.0/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Isabella B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stay was lovely! We spent the rest of our trip wishing we had stayed here longer. Wonderful spot to unwind for a couple of days and close enough to la Fortuna to explore all the touristy areas without staying in the center of it.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

gary w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Views are spectacular! Check in was easy and host was very respectful and responsive. Climb is very steep though the papayas are growing and the birds singing! Way cool seeing a Toucan in the front and green parrakeets flying by squawking and hearing many different birdsongs. I would definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Roxanne R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful!

Absolutely beautiful views. Super clean and comfortable. Driveway a little tricky, but after you do it once it's easier.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Theresa H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Serene & Tranquil

Amazing view in peaceful setting. Great for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Very easy check in and out.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Philip A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Volcano View Cabin

Amazing volcano view cabin within walking distance of many attractions like kayaking and bike rentals! The drive way is a bit steep, but over all easy to get to and driving distance to many Costa Rica classic destinations like La Fortuna waterfall, hot springs, and the Arenal volcano.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eva and Steven D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing view, very friendly locals

The place was super clean, the view was spectacular. We had everything that we needed for our 3-day stay. Walking distance to restaurants, bars, and a small supermarket. The locals are super friendly and we actually made friends with some of them. Highly recommended! We would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amelia D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

GREAT place to stay!

Great place to stay! I loved everything about it. The check in process was easy. It was clean. Beautiful view! The host was so helpful and kind. Would highly recommend to anyone. Wish I could have stayed longer.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

KimberlyandDave S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Living free!

This our 3rd time to this precious place! It is the perfect place to free your mind and soul! Monkeys, birds & iguanas to entertain and the most beautiful secluded beach. Just clean & simple living! This is a very special place!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Hartman M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Complete satisfaction.

Very lovely location and beautiful volcano/lake view. Peacefulness of site is a plus though that could be affected if the adjacent bungalow were occupied.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Pranay S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Nice experience

I had a wonderful stay overall! The view was absolutely stunning, and the privacy of the property made it a peaceful retreat — ideal for a couple looking to disconnect and relax.A few things to note: the drive up to the property is quite steep, so be prepared, especially if you’re arriving at night for the first time would be difficult. It would have been great if the house had a stove for cooking, as that would make longer stays more convenient. Also, while the setting is natural, reducing the number of bugs inside the house would definitely improve the comfort level.That said, the owner was responsive and helpful, and the experience was very enjoyable. We’d definitely recommend this place for a romantic getaway with unbeatable views!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

J M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Worth a Read

This location is fantastic. Check in, communication, check out, everything was as easy as it gets.The Good:The location itself was amazing. The town of El Castillo is, in my opinion a much better choice than La Fortuna. There's almost no traffic, its unique, gorgeous and you get that authentic local feel because there's seemingly few other tourists there. There are no souvenir shops or shops to browse but there are several places to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and theres great coffee, views and welcoming people at each one. You get to wake up to Lake Arenal and the Volcano each morning and honestly the view from the front porch is just breathtaking. At morning and at dusk the birds are playing and its fantastic. So much that I would open the sliding door and the curtains and then get back in bed just to listen and watch. In the evening there is so little traffic that when you sit outside you may see a few scooters go by but thats about it.The not so good:The driveway is very steep (50-60 deg incline maybe) and both up and down are reason to drive an all wheel or 4x4 vehicle. I made it without issues but realize not everyone is comfortable in this situation. The bed left a little to be desired but we slept through the night.All in all, this place is Amazing. I truly feel very fortunate to have spent a week in this beautiful area and I would highly recommend others to do the same.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

yusef r.

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025

About the host

Hosted by Explore El Castillo

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Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

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